Woman ordered to pay reparation after crash

A Hawke's Bay woman has been directed to make an emotional harm payment of $1500 to a man injured in a road crash last year.

The Masterton District Court heard that the crash occurred north of Masterton on July 9, 2011, when Zoe Frances Duncan, 30, drove into the path of the victim, who sustained serious leg injuries.

Duncan sustained head and facial injuries and told police she had no memory of the crash.

She was convicted of careless driving causing injury.

Virginia Pearson, lawyer for the injured party, said her client suffered significant injuries and loss of earnings as a result of the collision, which led to removal of part of a kneecap. He sought emotional harm reparation.

Senior Sergeant Jodie Lawrence said that on July 9, 2011, at 8.34am the man was driving on State Highway 2 at about 80km/h, approaching the intersection with Loop Line.

As he approached, Duncan began a slow right turn across the northbound side of the road and drove into the path of his vehicle.

The man braked hard but could not avoid Duncan's car and the two vehicles collided. The victim suffered an injury to his left knee and damage to the joint, eventually requiring surgery. He was unable to work for more than 12 months following the collision.

Senior Sergeant Lawrence said the injured party had a partner and three dependent children.

He received ACC weekly payments. However, these payments were $124 a week less than his weekly wage as a painter.

Judge Blaikie indicated that if the victim was happy with the settlement, and if a payment of $500 was made by December 21, he would not impose a disqualification on Duncan.